Image forming method and apparatus

Abstract

An image forming method includes steps of electrophotographic image formation and liquid material application. The electrophotographic image forming step electrophotographically forms an image on a recording medium having at least one transparent portion. The transparent portion has a surface to receive the image thereon. The applying step applies a coating of an opaque liquid material onto the surface of the transparent portion of the recording medium.

1 . An image forming method, comprising:
 electrophotographically forming an image on a recording medium having at least one transparent portion, the transparent portion having a surface to receive the image thereon; and   applying a coating of an opaque liquid material onto the surface of the transparent portion.   
   
   
       2 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the transparent portion is smooth. 
   
   
       3 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein the opaque liquid material is white in color. 
   
   
       4 . The image forming method according to  claim 1 , wherein the image is formed as a reverse copy of an original. 
   
   
       5 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an electrophotographic mechanism configured to electrophotographically form an image on a recording medium having at least one transparent portion, the transparent portion having a surface to receive the image thereon; and   a coating mechanism configured to apply a coating of an opaque liquid material onto the surface of the transparent portion, the coating mechanism having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a line.   
   
   
       6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the surface of the transparent portion is smooth. 
   
   
       7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the opaque liquid material is white in color. 
   
   
       8 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the image is formed as a reverse copy of an original. 
   
   
       9 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the coating mechanism applies the coating to an area of a given width in accordance with a size of the transparent portion.